In less than a year, the Utah State Fairpark will be home to a new 10,000 seat multi-purpose arena. The state portion of the project was approved today by the legislature to replace the old outdoor Coliseum. The legislation was sponsored in the State Senate by Sen. Luz Escamilla (D-Salt Lake).

Fairpark is located on 65 acres on the west side of Salt Lake City at 155 North 1000 West.

“I’m excited for a project twenty years in the making”, says Sen. Escamilla. “Our community is looking forward to the economic development opportunity at the Fairpark as the result of this investment. The arena will elevate the Fairpark to be a crown jewel in our city and our state.”

The $17-million project is a public-private partnership which includes the $10 million in state funding approved today, plus a $3 million contribution from the LDS Church through the Days of ’47 organization. The remainder of the funding will be provided by Salt Lake City and County and other private partners.

The state of the art multi-purpose arena will become the permanent home for the Days of ’47 Rodeo, and will be used to attract other large events seeking a 10,000 seat outdoor venue.

“I am encouraged that our state leaders agree that building a modern, 10,000 seat multi-purpose facility is a wise investment of state funds,” says Sen. Escamilla.

The state-owned Fairpark is operated and managed by the Fairpark and has been in operation at its current location since the state originallypurchased the property in 1902. Future plans and goals of the Fairpark include significant improvements to its infrastructure and operations.

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]]>http://www.utahsenatedemocrats.org/archives/2541/feed0Believe! – Coming soon to a license plate near you!http://www.utahsenatedemocrats.org/archives/2521
http://www.utahsenatedemocrats.org/archives/2521#respondFri, 04 Mar 2016 02:39:47 +0000http://www.utahsenatedemocrats.org/?p=2521Continue reading →]]>Sen. Luz Escamilla’s legislation creating a new specialty plate for Real Salt Lake has passed both houses and will be sent to the Governor for signature!

Thanks to SB64 co-sponsor Rep. Brad Wilson and Leo the Lion for helping unveil the new plate!

]]>http://www.utahsenatedemocrats.org/archives/2521/feed0Medicaid Dollars and Common Sensehttp://www.utahsenatedemocrats.org/archives/2515
http://www.utahsenatedemocrats.org/archives/2515#respondTue, 23 Feb 2016 23:16:37 +0000http://www.utahsenatedemocrats.org/?p=2515Continue reading →]]>Over 3/4 of Utah residents say they support at least some form of Medicaid expansion, yet the Republicans refuse to budge on this issue. Their refusal to accept even the minimal expansion proposed by Gov. Herbert last session is a slap in the face to hard-working Utah families who don’t earn enough to afford health insurance and who cannot access the tax credits intended to make that insurance affordable.

Full Medicaid expansion isn’t just the right thing to do; it makes sound financial sense.

The current talk on the Hill is that House Republicans will introduce a bill that will cover only 16,000 or so Utahns and will cost us $30 million.

Meanwhile, Sen. Gene Davis is proposing a full Medicaid expansion that will cover ALL of the over 110,000 Utahns who are eligible for Medicaid under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), but who haven’t had the opportunity due to Utah’s refusal to expand Medicaid. The plan would cost less than $50 million, and would bring in over $300 million in federal dollars in return every year. Not only is that a sound investment, but it is the right thing to do.

Medicaid expansion is supported by our healthcare providers, by our business community, and by our citizens, but not by Republicans in our Legislature. Why?

It’s time to stop playing games with people’s lives and get this done. Now!

UPDATE: Rep. Dunnigan’s plan is making it’s way though the House, but make no mistake. This is NOT Medicaid expansion. Look at the two plans and compare for yourself. The choice is simple. Full Medicaid Expansion is both the right thing to do and the smart thing to do.

]]>http://www.utahsenatedemocrats.org/archives/2515/feed0President Obama Issues Healthy Communities Challenge to Utahhttp://www.utahsenatedemocrats.org/archives/2465
http://www.utahsenatedemocrats.org/archives/2465#respondMon, 09 Nov 2015 16:50:47 +0000http://www.utahsenatedemocrats.org/?p=2465Continue reading →]]>Salt Lake City is one of 20 communities across the country issued the ‘Healthy Communities Challenge’. The community with the highest sign-up percentage of citizens on the Health Insurance Marketplace at HealthCare.gov will receive a visit from President Obama to tell the whole country about their success.

“Utah, see how easy it is to get health care coverage inexpensively on the health exchange,” states Utah Senator Gene Davis. “The President of the United States has challenged the nearly 200,000 uninsured Utahns to get coverage, see how affordable it is to protect you and your family. Log onto HealthCare.gov, do it today and spread the word!”

In Utah nearly 8 in 10 people can get healthcare coverage for $75 or less a month on the Health Insurance Marketplace at HealthCare.gov. Last year Utah consumers saved an average of $209 a month thanks to tax credits for Marketplace coverage.

“Getting covered used to mean filling out endless pages of forms – and sometimes even a medical exam. But today, HealthCare.gov makes the process fast and simple – you can shop around, compare plans, and choose the one that works for you and your family. If you, a friend, or family member need health coverage, head over to HealthCare.gov and sign up.”

Here’s the good news about health coverage on the Health Insurance Marketplace at HealthCare.gov:

6 million American people now have healthcare coverage

The number of insured citizens has increased significantly

Millions of families not only have the security of healthcare coverage, they now have security knowing that they won’t become bankrupt when they get sick

Insurance companies can NO LONGER deny coverage because of pre-existing conditions

Preventative care like checkups and mammograms are now covered for free

Open enrollment is already underway, and if you sign up by Dec. 15, you’ll have coverage on New Year’s Day. But no matter what, sign up by Jan. 31 to get coverage next year.

Check it out for yourself! Go to HealthCare.gov or CuidadoDeSalud.gov to get information and sign up. Or call 1-800-318-2596 for confidential assistance 24/7 — help is available in more than 200 languages.

]]>http://www.utahsenatedemocrats.org/archives/2465/feed0Members of Minority Caucus React to the Rejection of Medicaid Expansionhttp://www.utahsenatedemocrats.org/archives/2177
http://www.utahsenatedemocrats.org/archives/2177#respondThu, 15 Oct 2015 21:55:49 +0000http://www.utahsenatedemocrats.org/?p=2177Continue reading →]]>Earlier this week, the Utah Access Plus proposal was rejected in the House of Representatives. There will likely be no special session for Medicaid Expansion. Alternatives for covering the gap will be revisited during the 2016 Legislative Session.

Senator Davis, Minority Leader of the Senate Democrat Caucus, said, “The failure to get any Medicaid Expansion in Utah means we continue to step over tens of thousands of Utahns who need it most. It is incalculable how much this failure will cost Utah’s economy. Without expanding Medicaid, Utah is continuing to forgo millions of federal dollars. This is money lost to our economy. This shows on the part of the Legislature that there is no desire to make sure those on the lowest income scale have access to health care.”

Senator Davis continues, “It is a shame that the citizens of our state cannot count on the Legislature to adopt a sensible Medicaid Expansion plan that would provide access to health care for all Utahns. This affects everyone in our state and we cannot keep putting off a solution.”

Senator Escamilla shares her thoughts, “I am disappointed in the lack of action on this critical issue. Once again the most vulnerable residents of our state are suffering from nonsense politics.”

Immediately following the House’ rejection of the Medicaid Expansion proposal, Utah Access Plus, on Tuesday, Senator Dabakis said, “This is a red letter day for stupidity in Utah’s political history…The shameful actions of the Utah GOP House put ideology and politics ahead of common sense.”

]]>http://www.utahsenatedemocrats.org/archives/2177/feed0The Ambassador of China visits Utahhttp://www.utahsenatedemocrats.org/archives/2168
http://www.utahsenatedemocrats.org/archives/2168#respondMon, 05 Oct 2015 18:20:11 +0000http://www.utahsenatedemocrats.org/?p=2168Continue reading →]]>Today we were honored to have the Ambassador of China, Cui Tiankai, his wife Madame Ni Peijun, and several members of their delegation visit the Utah Senate.

Senator Gene Davis?: “Having the Ambassador of China and his wife in Utah is always an honor and a pleasure. I am looking forward to growing future relationships with China, and in particular, the Zhejiang Province.”

Senator Karen Mayne: “It was great meeting with the Ambassador and getting the chance to talk about cooperation and commerce between states and the goodwill shown between people.”

Senator Jim Dabakis: “Back in Utah meeting with Chinese Ambassador Cui Tainkai at Capitol. Special place in my heart for China as my husband Stephen and I lived in Beijing for two dazzling years in 2005-6

Senator Luz Escamilla also joined in this exciting conversation with the Ambassador of China: “At a great meeting with the Chinese Ambassador and his delegation, honored to participate of these conversations.”

We are saddened over the devastation and tragedy caused by flash flooding in Washington County, Utah. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims and we extend our deepest condolences during this difficult time. We appreciate the efforts of volunteers and first responders as they work to provide support and resources for the areas affected. At this current time, a new flash flood warning has been issued as another storm is expected in the area.

Senator Senator Gene Davis discusses the difficult three year push for making game fowl fighting a felony:

“As its sponsor, I did manage to get the felony cockfighting bill through the Senate all three times. But the first year it died in the House, just sort of laughed off the pages and voted down. The following year, it was basically gutted — the House totally eliminated everything we wanted to accomplish with it.”This year, it was also watered down to the point where it became almost unrecognizable. As it ended up, cockfighting is a Class B misdemeanor on the first offense, then it progresses to a Class A misdemeanor. We don’t even get to the felony level until there’s a conviction on the third offense. In retrospect, I wish we could have got the bill through in its original form. We need to put an end to this archaic and brutal activity once and for all in Utah. But this is a beginning — it’s much farther than we’ve ever come before.

]]>http://www.utahsenatedemocrats.org/archives/2157/feed0Prison Relocation: Senator Luz Escamilla Joins Community Members in Opposition of SLC Sitehttp://www.utahsenatedemocrats.org/archives/2151
http://www.utahsenatedemocrats.org/archives/2151#respondMon, 17 Aug 2015 18:54:44 +0000http://www.utahsenatedemocrats.org/?p=2151Continue reading →]]>Today at a press conference at Riverside Park west of Salt Lake City, legislators and members of the District 1 community came together to speak out against relocating the State Prison to Salt Lake City.

Senator Luz Escamilla of District 1 spoke strongly against this relocation stating, “I will continue to speak up on behalf of the constituents of Senate District 1 on why it is not a good investment to place the new state prison in the west side of the capital city. Not only is it the most expensive site, but it is not a wise economic development decision and continues to disproportionally impact one community in the entire state.”

Salt Lake City –Senator Luz Escamilla voices overwhelming frustration with
location announcement by the Prison Relocation Commission and issues the
following statement:
“I am truly disappointed with the news that the Prison Relocation
Commission has selected Salt Lake City as the site for the building of the
new state prison,” exclaims Senator Escamilla. “The residents and leaders
of Salt Lake City have been loud and clear when opposing this possible
west side relocation site.”

“I feel a big mistake is being made to build a state prison in this
limited available space area when we should be developing this area for
economic development purposes. The west side of Salt Lake City has been a
helpful and responsible neighbor and stepped up to house the only State
Parole Violator Center (The Fortitude Treatment Center) and several
halfway houses. Instead of this area being asked to bear the
disproportionate burden of having these types of facilities in their
community, the only fair choice would be that the rest of the state share
this responsibility.”

“I believe this matter is not finished, and I am hopeful members of the
state legislature will consider the importance of a more appropriate
relocation site for the state prison than the west sideof Salt Lake City.
I will be sure to remind them that this vote is a vote on the site and
location, not on prison reform or our state’s criminal justice reform.”